April 1, 2026
Statement on PUCO’s Approval of AEP Ohio’s Distribution Rate Increase
For Immediate Release:
April 1, 2026
Contact:
Karlena Wallace, Communications Director
media@theoec.org 614-487-7506
Statement on PUCO’s Approval of AEP Ohio’s Distribution Rate Increase
Columbus, Ohio — On Wednesday, April 1, 2026, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) approved AEP Ohio’s request to increase. If AEP Ohio spends the full amount approved, the average residential customers’ rates will increase by as much as $4.38/month by the end of this year and will gradually increase to $10.28/month by 2028. Columbus Stand Up, Ohio Environmental Council, Save Ohio Parks, and Buckeye Environmental Network believe the decision falls short of necessary oversight of utility spending at a time of economic uncertainty for Ohio households.
This decision follows the Commission’s decision to increase the transmission charge on AEP Ohio bills two weeks ago. This case also approves a credit due back to customers since 2024, originally introduced in PUCO Case No. 24-342-EL-AAM. AEP Ohio initially used this credit to bill its request in this case as a rate decrease. However, following the recent transmission decision, most AEP Ohio residential customers will still see a net increase to their overall bills.
Notably, the Public Utility Commission of Ohio appears to downplay the reality of an energy affordability crisis in Ohio. While the Commission says it believes affordability was at the front and center of negotiations, it also notes PUCO, “Staff finds [Ohio Consumers’ Counsel] OCC’s arguments concerning an ongoing ‘affordability crisis’ to be misleading’” because costs are also rising in other categories of household spending.
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Karin Nordstrom, Senior Attorney for Clean Energy for the Ohio Environmental Council (OEC):
“The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio’s decision comes at a time when many households are facing an energy affordability crisis. This order will raise rates despite otherwise claims from the utility. In the last year, AEP Ohio’s parent company celebrated record profits with its shareholders and announced a $15M bonus for its CEO. Ohioans continue to struggle to keep their lights on, and they deserve real solutions to the energy affordability crisis, not more false promises from regulators and utilities. The Ohio Environmental Council is disappointed the Commission did not give AEP Ohio’s request the scrutiny needed to ensure the company exhausts lower cost methods before approving expensive capital expenditures with high rates of return.
“Furthermore, the Ohio Environmental Council is deeply disappointed to see the PUCO downplay the existence of Ohio’s ongoing energy affordability crisis, as they did in response to the Ohio Consumers Counsel. This is concerning as we head into another summer with anticipated rising electricity costs.”
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Morgan Harper, Co-founder of Columbus Stand Up:
“Columbus Stand Up has heard from thousands of AEP customers who are saying enough is enough and want these rate increases to stop. We are disappointed but not surprised to see PUCO continue to make working people pay to pad AEP’s profits. We hope the next governor of Ohio will appoint commissioners ready to hold utility monopolies accountable.”
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Cathy Cowan Becker, Board President of Save Ohio Parks:
“Save Ohio Parks disapproves PUCO’s decision in today’s AEP rate case. AEP has received four rate increases in the past three years, already straining the budgets of working families in Ohio. If Ohio needs more electricity generation, the first step is for the state to stop denying utility-scale solar projects. At least seven have been denied, which would have generated more than enough electricity to power Columbus, Cincinnati, and Cleveland combined. AEP could assist by asking the PUCO to consider it part of the public interest to put clean energy onto the grid.”
The following quote can be attributed, in whole or in part, to Becca Pollard, Executive Director of Buckeye Environmental Network:
“For too long, AEP Ohio has gotten away with prioritizing profits over the public good. PUCO has approved numerous rate increases for consumers over the past few years to meet projected demand increases driven largely by proposed data centers and maintenance to improve reliability. Residents and small businesses are being gouged while AEP Ohio is seeing record profits.”
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Columbus Stand Up! is a grassroots organization seeking to engage working class people of all ages in the electoral process, support the building of stable and healthy communities, and to hold elected officials accountable.
Buckeye Environmental Network (BEN) works to support grassroots environmental justice organizing and to protect Ohio’s native forests.
Save Ohio Parks is a 501(c)(4) social welfare organization founded by Ohio citizens concerned about oil and gas extraction from our state parks, wildlife areas, and public lands. Its sister 501(c)(3) organization, Save Ohio Parks Education Fund, provides public education about fracking public lands and associated issues such as data centers and frack waste disposal.
The Ohio Environmental Council (OEC) protects the environment and health of all Ohio communities through legal and policy advocacy, decision-maker accountability, and civic engagement.
